Indigo Incident: Here's How An Aircraft Survives Powerful Lightning Strikes and Keep Passengers Safe

An IndiGo flight from Patna to Lucknow was struck by lightning at around 17,000 feet on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, while flying through bad weather. The aircraft’s nose-mounted radome was damaged, but the plane landed safely at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow as per reports. All 104 passengers and six crew members on board were safe.

The incident has once again highlighted an important question: How can a passenger aircraft survive a powerful lightning strike without seriously harming people inside the cabin?

The answer lies in the aircraft’s design, electrical protection systems and regular safety checks.

Aircraft Act Like a Faraday Cage

Most modern passenger aircraft are designed to protect people inside from the effects of lightning. The basic principle is similar to a Faraday cage, in which electrical charges travel along the outside of a conductive structure rather than through its interior.

When lightning strikes an aircraft, the electrical current generally enters through one part of the aircraft and travels across its outer surface before leaving through another point. The aircraft’s structure and specially designed conductive materials help control this flow.

This means passengers sitting inside the cabin are largely protected from the main electrical current. Aircraft are also fitted with systems that help prevent electrical charge from building up and safely release it into the surrounding air.

Why the Aircraft’s Nose Can Be Damaged

The nose of an aircraft contains a structure called a radome. It covers the weather radar installed at the front of the aircraft and allows radar signals to pass through.

Unlike much of the aircraft body, the radome cannot simply be made from a continuous metal layer because this could interfere with the radar signals. It is therefore made from specialised non-metallic composite materials.

Because of its design, the radome can suffer visible damage when an aircraft encounters severe weather or a lightning-related event. In the IndiGo incident, the airline said the aircraft encountered unfavourable weather, including a hailstorm, while landing, resulting in damage to the radome.

The damage was localised to the aircraft’s nose, while the flight continued safely to Lucknow.

Why the Aircraft Was Grounded After Landing

Although the aircraft landed safely, it cannot immediately return to commercial service after such an incident. Engineers must inspect the aircraft to make sure there is no hidden structural or electrical damage.

The radome may need to be repaired or replaced, while other parts of the aircraft are checked for signs of electrical or structural damage. Systems related to electrical protection and static discharge are also inspected. The aircraft is allowed to return to passenger service only after the required maintenance and regulatory checks are completed.

Safety Systems Reduce the Risk

Lightning strikes are a known risk in aviation, and modern aircraft are designed with this possibility in mind. Conductive materials, electrical bonding, lightning protection systems and static discharge devices work together to reduce the impact of a strike.

The IndiGo incident shows why an aircraft can experience a dramatic lightning strike and visible damage while passengers inside remain safe.

The flight carrying 110 people completed its journey to Lucknow safely despite the severe weather. The aircraft was subsequently grounded for inspection and necessary maintenance before it can resume commercial operations.